Children are incredibly internet savvy these days. And while that can be a great thing for helping them to learn and keep in touch with friends via social media, it can also cause concerns for parents who may not know what their children are viewing or who they are talking to online.

The campaign was developed nationally by the NSPCC and launched in January. It is backed by the Central Bedfordshire Safeguarding Children Board and Central Bedfordshire’s Community Safety Partnership, who are encouraging local parents to help keep their children safe online.

The campaign encourages parents to pay more attention to what their child is doing online, help them form their own views about the appropriateness of popular sites through the NSPCC Net Aware guide and gives them confidence to have balanced and informed conversations with their children to help them stay safe online.

The Central Bedfordshire Safeguarding Children Board and Community Safety Partnership’s online safety advice includes links to Bedfordshire Police and CEOP (The Child Exploitation and Online Centre) where further information is available, plus ways of reporting online issues.

Alan Caton OBE, independent chairman of Central Bedfordshire Safeguarding Children Board, said: “While the internet is such an integral part of children's lives these days there is a need for parents to be aware of the risks and to be able to help their children navigate it safely.

“As you would protect your child in the real world, you will want to make sure that they are safe whatever they are doing. Like learning to cross the road, online safety skills are skills for life. If your child understands the risks and can make sensible and informed choices online, they can get the most from the internet and stay safe whilst doing so – particularly from those people who might seek them out to harm them.”

Colin Peak, NSPCC Regional Head of Service for the South East, said: “Children are taught from an early age that it is good to share but doing so online can be very dangerous. We must all be Share Aware. Parents need to have that important conversation with their children about who they are talking to and what they share when they socialise online.

"We know that children do take risks online, sometimes without realising it. And we know some parents feel confused by the internet – out of their depth, and out of control. Share Aware gives parents straightforward, no-nonsense advice that will help them to untangle the web and feel confident talking to their children about online safety.

“There are many people who have a role to play in keeping children safe online and we welcome the support from the Central Bedfordshire Safeguarding Children Board and the Central Bedfordshire’s Community Safety Partnership in helping more families to be Share Aware.”